Preparing vessel for cargo operations -Collecting cargo and Port Information:
The safe operation of bulk carriers is dependant on not exceeding allowable
stresses in the cycle of loading, discharging, ballasting and de-ballasting.
To prepare the vessel for cargo stowage and a safe planning, the loading and unloading sequences and other operational matters should be informed well in advance.

The
shore terminal should provide the ship with the following information :

i) Prior to loading bulk cargo , the shipper should declare characteristics & density of the cargo, stowage factor, angle of repose, amounts and special
properties.

ii) Cargo availability and any special requirements for the sequencing of cargo
operations.

iii) Characteristics of the loading or unloading equipment including number of loaders
and unloaders to be used, their ranges of movement, and the terminal's nominal and
maximum loading and unloading rates, where applicable.

iv) Minimum depth of water alongside the berth and in the fairway channels.

Cargo trimming is a mandatory requirement for some cargoes, especially where there is a risk of the
cargo shifting or where liquefaction could take place. It is recommended the cargo in all holds
be trimmed in an attempt to minimise the risk of cargo shift.

The ship's Master should be aware of the harmful effects of corrosive and high temperature cargoes
and any special cargo transportation requirements. Ship Masters, deck officers, charterers and
stevedores should be familiar with the relevant IMO Codes (for example, the IMO Code of Safe
Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes, the IMO Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of
Dry Bulk Carriers and the SOLAS Convention).

Devising a Cargo Stowage Plan and Loading/Unloading Plan

Exceeding the permissible limits specified in the ship's approved loading manual will lead to over-stressing of the ship's structure and may result in catastrophic failure of the hull structure. The amount and type of cargo to be transported and the intended voyage will dictate the
proposed departure cargo and/or ballast stowage plan. The officer in charge should
always refer to the loading manual to ascertain an appropriate cargo load distribution,
satisfying the imposed limits on structural loading.

There are two stages in the development of a safe plan for cargo loading or unloading:

a) Step 1: Given the intended voyage, the amount of cargo and/or water ballast to be carried and
imposed structural and operational limits, devise a safe departure condition, known as the
stowage plan.

b) Step 2: Given the arrival condition of the ship and knowing the departure condition (stowage
plan) to be attained, devise a safe loading or unloading plan that satisfies the imposed structural
and operational limits.

In the event that the cargo needs to be distributed differently from that described in the ship's
loading manual, stress and displacement calculations are always to be carried out to ascertain, for
any part of the intended voyage, that:

a) The still water shear forces and bending moments along the ship's length are within the
permissible Seagoing limits.

b) If applicable, the weight of cargo in each hold, and, when block loading is adopted, the weights
of cargo in two successive holds are within the allowable Seagoing limits for the draught of the
ship. These weights include the amount of water ballast carried in the hopper and double bottom
tanks in way of the hold(s).

c) The load limit on the tanktop and other relevant limits, if applicable, on local loading are not
exceeded.

The consumption of ship's bunkers during the voyage should be taken into account when carrying
out these stress and displacement calculations.

Whilst deriving a plan for cargo operations, the officer in charge must consider the ballasting
operation to ensure:

a) Correct synchronisation with the cargo operation.

b) That the deballasting/ballasting rate is specially considered against the loading rate and the
imposed structural and operational limits.

c) That ballasting and deballasting of each pair of symmetrical port and starboard tanks is carried
out simultaneously.

During the planning stage of cargo operations, stress and displacement calculations should be
carried out at incremental steps commensurate with the number of pours and loading sequence of
the proposed operation to ensure that:

1) The SWSF and SWBM along the ship's length are within the permissible Harbour limits.

2) If applicable, the weight of cargo in each hold, and, when block loading is adopted, the weights
of cargo in two adjacent holds are within the allowable Harbour limits for the draught of the
ship. These weights include the amount of water ballast carried in the hopper and double bottom
tanks in way of the hold(s).

3) The load limit on the tanktop and other relevant limits, if applicable, on local loading are not
exceeded.

4) At the final departure condition, the SWSF and SWBM along the ship's length are within the
permissible Seagoing stress limits.

During the derivation of the cargo stowage, and the loading or unloading plan, it is recommended
that the hull stress levels be kept below the permissible limits by the greatest possible margin.
A cargo loading/unloading plan should be laid out in such a way that for each step of the cargo
operation there is a clear indication of:-

i) The quantity of cargo and the corresponding hold number(s) to be loaded/unloaded.

ii) The amount of water ballast and the corresponding tank/hold number(s) to be discharged/loaded.

iii) The ship's draughts and trim at the completion of each step in the cargo operation.

iv) The calculated value of the still water shear forces and bending moments at the completion of
each step in the cargo operation.

v) Estimated time for completion of each step in the cargo operation.

vi) Assumed rate(s) of loading and unloading equipment.

vii) Assumed ballasting rate(s)

The loading/unloading plan should indicate any allowances for cargo stoppage (which may be
necessary to allow the ship to deballast when the loading rate is high), shifting ship, bunkering,
draught checks and cargo trimming.

The loading or unloading plan should
only be changed when a revised plan has been
prepared, accepted and signed by both parties.
Loading plans should be kept by the ship and
terminal for a period of six months.

A copy of the agreed loading or
unloading plan and any subsequent
amendments to it should be lodged with the
appropriate authority of the port State.

Operational guidance

All bulk carrier officers should have clear guidance and
instructions available onboard their ship. There should be guidance on: